The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-22
MISSISSIPPI.
A Few Dots About a Prosperous
State.
INTERVIEW WITH GOVERNOR LOWRY,

apnearance OF the state house must indicate "a
his mind something concerning the prosperity
And progress of the commonwealth. The old
eaying that appearances are deceitful is abund-
ently verified in the cases Of tho respective
state houses of Georgia, Alabama and Missis-
Blppi.
Three more inappropriate structures for the
home OF sovereignty can not very well be i'm
agined, and yet ] doubt if the people Of Miss s.
sipi or Alabama would change one line OF their
capitols Associations cluster IN and about
them, and in this land Of sentiment the asso-
Citations will prevent them from being dis
turbed
day spent in the state house Of Mississippi
docs not store the mind with the same number
OF facts that would be derived from a day at
Montgomery or Atlanta. Tic system Of pub
lio business, while essentially the same, is very
different in detail. In fact, the Mississippi Off
clals seem to care very little about detail, con-
5ning their mind and time to the more agreea-
bic subject of sum total. For instance, there
IS no record kept Of the number Of acres Of
land planted in com, cotton etc, nor Is there
any way Of asccrtaininI The value Of farm and
farm products, save to engage team and make
tho round Of the sovcuty-t0uG counties, com
prisng BE state, aud obtain the information
from tie sherfls WHO are charged with keep
ing up such thines. This omission, while not
fatal. is aggrayating, especially when one OF
the objects Of this correspondence is by com
parrisou to see what state has attained the
highest measure Of pros crity. But while the
discussion Of tie resources aud progress Of
Mississippi viii NOT be as minute rs ii should,
It will be none the less exact for conclusions,
when officially Endorsed, must be accepted,
even without the reasons accompanying.
called upon Governor Lowry this morning,
and met dignlGed, courtly gentleman, whose
Intelligence was equal to his impressive man
nor. Oar conversation was short, owing to
official engagements, buta prolonged interview
was arranged for tomorrow.
Short talks frequently call out important
things, and SO did the meeting today. While
discussing prohibition and its work in Missi3-
sippi, Governor Lowry said some things that
were stiikingly interesting. He remarked
that about one-ilalf Of the state was in prohi-
biton work under the local option plan. lie
said that as far as lac could see that everything
was we'll that it made but little difference
ono way or the other.
lie stated that he was on the platform as an
nounced by Mr.. Jefferson Davis upon the
subject Of prohibition. A temperance man
himself, never drinking whisky and seldom
taking wine, he was nevertheless persuaded
that it was not proper TO say to people or u
community that you shall not have these in
toxicants under any circumstances whatever.
Theegovernor declared that he was prepared to
admit that the presence of the saloon or bar
Unfortunately here and there was an evil,
but il was an evil that could be corrected Laws
should 10 passed regulating who should sell it,
whore IL should be sold, and the seller should
be required TO give bond and security for n
decent and faithful performance OF the law.
Jackson, the capitol, is prohibition town or
city, having been so since last January. Gov
ernor Lowry stated that rs far rs he could tell
the people of jackson seemed satisfied, or con
tent, but said he made the issue straight leave
out the sick question OF the saloon, it being
blessing or an evil, aud take local option or
prohibition squarely ON its merits, and he be-
lievcs that good man with anti-prohibition
views could carry the city and county. From
my conversation with him gathered tins fact,
which seemed 10 be always near, that the areu-
ment upon the question had never been fully
put and met. That it had always
been coupled with the issues of
how It should be sold, when, where,
or by whom-never had the people been called
upon to debate the broad proposition ought the
state to allow the sale Of liquor Mt all. When
ever that was brought up, MS it had been in
Texas and Tennessee. the governor declared
that he felt certain that Mississippi would eli
roll itself upon the prohibition side.
a few months ago tho state temperance
convention met in this state, and among other
matters appointed committee TO memorabilia
the Legislature to pass constitutional amond-
mont forbldding the sale.
Governor Lowry thought the legislature
would respectfully listen 60 the memorial, and
pight even 20 SO far as to refer 1t to n commit
toe, but he had no idea that il would permit
the matter TO go before the pCople. This Same
resolution created a big stir here ut the time,
end THE CONSTITUTION reader will recollect
that tho Rev. Charles r.. Galloway. of Mem
phis, an eminent Methodist divine and
bishop came ont in public address IN the
newspapers and most earnestly protested
against tho convention doing anything of the
kind, And the great body of the people her
are with the Methodist bishop ON the subject
As TO the success of prohibition In the coun1
ties that have aud are trying IT, various opin-
ions can he obtained. Governor Lowry's ex-
precision was that he did not know how the
majority felt, but he did not believe the prohi-
htion element strong enough to enter a state
contest, One OF the most intelligent and rich
est counties III the StatC--tho county of
Lowdes iii which the city of Column
bus is situated, about three years
ago passed the local option law, and
for two years lived under its practical opera
ton. A year ago, OF at the liIst convenient
and legal opportunity, tho county and city
went back upon its action and reinstated
whisky
A prominent prohibitjonist told mo today
that this WAS due entirely TO the negro vote,
which was largely fun mu-prohNition. II
this be true Il g state must BE largely anti IN
JUS sentiments, for tho cUlured man is q power
here IN numbers rs we'll as ui some other re-
epects
The situation then, as Tar rs It can be gath
cred here, is about this, the people do not caro-
20 further agjtalo the question. l do not mean
tho fanatics who win, perhaps, keep M the
Wianglo as long rs they live; but Tie great
and con 5eryatiyc body oi the people pleior 10
Jet the matter stand exactly rs IL Is, Tire To-
cal option law OF 1SSO-ISSI,
whore each district in a county
could vote upon the sale arc popular.
il appears that they Want it let's a local ques-
ton, SO that ii adlstrict or community prefer
10 SO have and ordcr matters ~ 60 prevent the
sale of intoAicants, why, tol ct those icople hy
Rn election that VIII affect but very few and win
not produce the eNcitcmcnts and rcsentments
Of elections similar to those in Texas and in
Tennessee, say il they desire to
keep it in or out. II the majority of the dis
tricts of the state arc prohibition in
their nature, the state can Justly become
prohibition state.
Very little is said or talked of about the mat
Ter here, while mulch interest is ielt IN the APP
preaching election IA Atlanta, IL is am interest
that Is wrought up, not because II tho Issue
there, goes 50 and SO, why we are going 20 try
y here, but because amy thing about Atlanta is
interesting.
Tho Mississippi people arc thinking about
something more important Just now" romarlS-
ed the governor, 'they are bending thev ener-
~ To the work of restoring their state 20 It's
Inllngl A . st..,